Launch delay offset data flow protection

ABSTRACT

A signal protector utilizes a dual data path delay offset enabling signal recovery on both paths following simultaneous data loss on both paths.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/863,890 filed Apr. 16, 2013 which claims the benefit of U.S. Prov.Pat. App. No. 61/625,901 filed Apr. 18, 2012 and entitled LAUNCH DELAYOFFSET DATA FLOW PROTECTION.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known signal protection schemes include error correction using multiplechannels and/or large static buffers. Such systems utilize excessivebandwidth and/or introduce relatively long latency. Although signalprotection innovations are not a focus area of the telecommunicationsindustry, improvements that are adopted by the industry have thepotential to benefit large groups of consumers.

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to the electrical arts. In particular, a signalis protected through the use of launch delay offset.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Some signal protection systems are known. For example, some signalprotection systems merely use simultaneous broadcasts on dual pathsallowing for redundancy via switching between the paths. However, signalprotection developments have not generally been a focus area of thetelecommunications industry, perhaps due to the widespread use of thedual path protection system mentioned above. But, known systemsgenerally suffer from one or more of hardware complexity, softwarecomplexity, high initial cost, high operating costs, large additions torequired bandwidth, and signal degradation. Selected embodiments of thepresent invention provide solutions to one or more of these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a signal protector utilizing dual datapaths with a delay offset. In an embodiment, a data protection methodcomprises the steps of: providing data path A and data path B; each ofthe data paths extending between first and second stations; paths A andB transporting the same data; and, offsetting the data transported bypath A from the data transported by path B by a time “t” such thatfollowing a simultaneous data loss on both paths during a time intervalthat is less than or equal to “t” an uninterrupted data flow can berecovered using a combination of information from both data paths.

In an embodiment, a data protection method comprising the steps ofproviding a data transmitting block for receiving and forwarding dataand a data receiving block for receiving the forwarded data anddelivering data; coupling dual redundant data paths A and B between thedata transmitting block and the data receiving block; configuring thetransmitting block to transmit redundant data on data path B time “t”later than the data transmitted on path A; and, maintaining anuninterrupted flow of delivered data following a simultaneous data losson both paths of duration less than or equal to “t” by merging data frompaths A and B to provide at least some of the data delivered followingto the data loss.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. The figures, incorporated herein and forming part of thespecification, illustrate the present invention and, together with thedescription, further serve to explain the principles of the inventionand to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use theinvention.

FIG. 1 shows a protection system in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the protection system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The disclosure provided in the following pages describes examples ofsome embodiments of the invention. The designs, figures, anddescriptions are non-limiting examples of certain embodiments of theinvention. For example, other embodiments of the disclosed device may ormay not include the features described herein. Moreover, disclosedadvantages and benefits may apply to only certain embodiments of theinvention and should not be used to limit the disclosed inventions.

Where parts are connected, descriptions herein include the term“coupled” which refers to either direct or indirect connections. Directconnections provide for a first part connected directly to a secondpart, for example A connected directly to B. Indirect connectionsprovide for a first part connected indirectly to a second part, forexample A connected indirectly to C via B.

FIG. 1 shows a signal protection system in accordance with the presentinvention 100. Data paths A and B transport packet flows. As shown,Paths A and B are offset.

An exemplary Data Loss is shown. Here, Path A packets n+2, n+3, n+4 arelost and Path B packets n−1, n, n+1 are lost.

Recovery following the Data Loss is seen as follows. Path A is rebuiltusing unlost packets n+2, n+3, n+4 of path B. Path B is rebuilt usingunlost packets n−1, n, n+1 of Path A. In various embodiments, unlostpackets are recovered and data streams are rebuilt using one or more ofmemories, buffers, switches, and other similar data processingequipment.

FIG. 2 shows the signal protection system of FIG. 1 implemented in amulti-channel audio transport system 200. Both data feeds are in thesame pipe with VLAN separation and in this example Feed B is delayedwith respect to Feed A by 70 ms. As shown, the feeds extend between anencoder originating the data and a decoder processing the data forwardedby the encoder.

In various embodiments this data protection system enables recovery fromsimultaneous data loss in redundant, offset data paths. And, in variousembodiments, dual path synchronized transmission data protection systemsare adapted to implement the delay offset of the present invention.

In an example utilizing an embodiment of the present invention, anational radio network entity operating a private IP network implementedthe present invention to resolve short, simultaneous data losses on dualdiverse paths through the network where disturbances were less than 50milliseconds in duration. The solution provides at a transmitting end anetwork feed source and a network adapter for delaying one of redundantnetwork feeds by 70 milliseconds. Exemplary equipment includes a networkadapter in the form of a Nevion Ventura VS906 IP Media Edge Adapter.With an audio input, the adapter provides dual redundant IP data flowscarrying the audio information.

Receiving equipment provides delay equalization for the redundant pathsand adjusts for both network delay and artificial delay to create oneintegral feed. A complementary receiving end adapter takes in the twonetwork data flows and merges them to provide a merged data flow fromwhich the audio information is decapsulated. This technique providesuninterrupted delivery of the transported audio information despiteshort, simultaneous network disturbances. Skilled artisans will ofcourse recognize the present invention is not limited to particulartransmission media or information transmission protocols.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to those skilledin the art that various changes in the form and details can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such,the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited bythe above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data protection method comprising the steps of:providing data path A and data path B; paths A and B transporting thesame data; and, offsetting the data transported by path A from the datatransported by path B by a time “t” such that following a simultaneousdata loss on both paths during a time interval that is less than orequal to “t” an uninterrupted data flow can be recovered using acombination of information from both data paths.
 2. The data protectionmethod of claim 1 wherein data lost from path A is replaced by data frompath B and wherein data lost from path B is replaced by data from pathA.
 3. A lost data recovery method comprising the steps of: providingdata path A for transporting data packets; providing data path B fortransporting data packets; paths A and B transporting the same datapackets; and, offsetting the data transported by path A from the datatransported by path B by a time “t” such that following a simultaneousdata loss on both paths during a time interval that is less than orequal to “t” an uninterrupted data flow can be recovered by combiningdata from both data paths; wherein packets lost from path A are replacedby packets from path B and wherein packets lost from path B is replacedby packets from path A.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein paths A and Bare implemented in the same media using VLAN separation.
 5. The methodof claim 4 wherein t is at least 50 milliseconds.
 6. The method of claim5 wherein path A interconnects with the first and second stations andpath B interconnects with the first and second stations.
 7. The methodof claim 3 wherein: the first station is an encoder and the secondstation is a decoder; path A interconnects the encoder with a decoderSIPS; path B interconnects an encoder NAT and delay block with thedecoder SIPS; and, data paths A and B transport multi-channel audio.